USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Franklin > Town of Franklin annual report 1960 > Part 13
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$545,742.46
Appropriation 1960
$584,289.00
Transfer-Advisory Board
10,089.78
$594,378.78
Expenditures Outstanding
8,270.65
Total Expenditures
$602,649.43
TOTAL SALARIES
1960
Estimate 1961
1. Superintendent
$ 10,000.00
$ 10,500.00
2. Clerks
9,856.27
9,880.00
3. Attendance Officer
300.00
300.00
4. Teachers
398,729.39
454,511.00
5. Janitors
31,432.18
33,567.00
6. Nurse
5,553.88
5,600.00
Total Salaries
$455,871.72
$514,358.00
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BUDGET - 1961
I-General Control
Expended 1960
Estimate 1961
Superintendent's salary
$ 10,000.00
$ 10,500.00
Attendance officer-salary
300.00
300.00
Clerks' salaries
5,420.81
5,460.00
Superintendent's expenses
736.87
750.00
Office supplies
514.36
500.00
Telephone
361.77
375.00
School reports-printing
250.00
100.00
Professional books and magazines
29.05
50.00
School Committee expenses, dues, etc.
256.19
300.00
Totals
$ 17,869.05
$ 18,335.00
II-Teachers' Salaries
Supervisors' salaries
$ 18,893.98
$ 39,685.00
Principals' salaries
27,689.67
27,670.00
Teachers, High
111,714.18
107,770.00
Junior High
52,615.23
57,070.00
Elementary
179,522.33
203,836.00
Substitute Teachers
5,609.50
4,500.00
2,150.00
2,280.00
Teachers, Practical Arts Handicapped Children
99.00
120.00
In-School television
435.50
500.00
Additional teachers-6
10,080.00
Salary adjustments
1,000.00
Totals
$398,729.39
$454,511.00
Other Expenses:
Clerks' salaries
$ 4,435.46
$ 4,420.00
Teachers' travel, expenses, etc.
662.77
750.00
$ 5,098.23
$ 5,170.00
Totals-Teachers' Salaries
$403,827.62
$459,681.00
III-Books and Supplies
Textbooks, High Junior High
$ 3,011.59
$ 4,703.79
4,669.43
2,745.78
236
Elementary
6,298.65
1,233.82
$ 13,979.67
$ 8,683.39
Supplies, High
5,605.96
7,138.01
Junior High
1,975.36
2,640.81
Elementary
6,777.66
6,228.79
$ 14,358.98
$ 16,007.61
Totals-Books and Supplies
$ 28,338.65
$ 24,691.00
IV-Wages of Janitors
High
$ 9,797.82
10,071.20
Junior High
4,765.00
5,617.00
Elementary
16,342.85
17,108.80
Practical Arts Evening Classes
315.35
270.00
Additional overtime, etc.
211.16
500.00
Totals
$ 31,432.18
$ 33,567.00
V-Fuel
High
$ 4,401.09
$ 4,800.00
Junior High
1,667.38
1,800.00
Elementary
5,660.02
5,400.00
Totals
$ 11,728.49
$ 12,000.00
VI-Miscellaneous Operating Expenses
Light and power
$ 4,580.47
$ 4,600.00
Telephones
1,316.06
1,350.00
Cleaning supplies
1,564.36
1,600.00
Towels, tissues, etc.
464.02
600.00
Water
409.23
400.00
Pest control, bulbs, laundry, etc.
389.28
300.00
Lawn mowers maint. etc.
14.84
100.00
Snow removal
212.00
200.00
Totals
$ 8,950.26
$ 9,150.00
VII-Repairs, Replacement and Upkeep
Repairs to buildings
$ 15,957.33
$ 18,310.00
Repairs to equipment and replacements
8,103.37
3,611.30
Totals
$24,060.70
21,921.30
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VIII-Health
$ 5,553.88
$ 5,600.00
Nurse's salary Mileage
211.84
150.00
Health supplies, advt. etc.
118.66
100.00
Totals
$ 5,884.38
$ 5,850.00
IX-TRANSPORTATION
Supple Motors, Inc.
$ 21,844.00
$ 24,000.00
Franklin Auto Service, Inc.
28,032.00
33,320.00
Day vocational schools
367.43
300.00
Transportation to other towns
177.00
200.00
Transportation to State School
1,137.75
1,200.00
Transportation, handicapped children
163.80
325.00
Advertising and contract adjustments
14.58
1,000.00
Totals
$ 51,736.56
$ 60,345.00
X-Miscellaneous Sundries
Athletics
$ 3,496.99
$ 6,601.75
Insurance
2,420.08
2,295.00
Driver Training
230.09
225.00
Libraries
442.81
500.00
Graduation expenses
702.87
700.00
Tests and surveys
534.60
1,000.00
Field trips
363.25
350.00
Tuition to other towns
790.96
800.00
3,310.94
3,300.00
Vocational Schools-Day tuition Evening tuition
398.00
375.00
Truck maintenance
398.98
200.00
Dues, assemblies, institutes, etc.
910.68
900.00
Totals
$ 14,000.25
$ 17,246.75
XI-Outlay
Science-National Defense Act
$ 1,437.46
$ 1,400.00
Music
1,446.00
2,235.25
Playground equipment
111.70
Audio-visual equipment
73.50
Furniture-Pupils
1,209.53
Non-instructional equip.
543.10
High School Commercial Department
450.00
High School English Department
249.70
Junior High School Art
200.00
Totals
$ 4,821.29
$ 4,534.95
Total Expenditures and Estimates
$602,649.43
$667,322.00
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SUMMARY OF SCHOOL EXPENDITURES
1960 - 1961
Salaries (total)
Percent of total appropriation
$455,871.72 75.6
$514,358.00 77.0
Transportation
51,736.56
60,345.00 9.0
Percent of total appropriation
8.6
Books and Supplies
28,338.65
24,691.00
Percent of total appropriation
4.7
3.7
Fuel
11,728.49
12,000.00
Percent of total appropriation
1.9
1.9
Repairs
24,060.70
21,921.30
Percent of total appropriation
4.1
3.3
All other items combined
30,913.31
34,006.70
Percent of total appropriation
5.1
5.1
Totals
$602,649.43
$667,322.00
Percent of total appropriation
100
100
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Franklin:
Your School Committee hereby respectfully submits its annual report for the year 1960.
The careful and well-planned report of our Superintendent of Schools, accompanied by the reports of the various school principals, heads of departments, director of athletics, and school nurse, contains information that will enlighten our citizens in the problems, conduct, financial operation, and educational needs of the school system.
Double Sessions
The rapid growth of our town and its reflection on our unusual enrollment which resulted in a critical lack of classroom space, necessi- tated the creation of double sessions in the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth grades. The ten-room double sessions were conducted in the Theron Metcalf School.
Our High School is designed to handle approximately 435 students and, with an anticipated High School enrollment of 535 pupils next
Estimate 1961
1960
239
September, in all probability, the High School will go on double ses- sions in September, 1961.
Double Sessions Costs:
The costs of operating the double sessions were in excess of budget estimates because it was impossible to foresee in December what was to happen in the coming September. Five extra teachers, a great many extra desks and chairs, large numbers of books and supplies had to be obtained. None of these could be anticipated in the 1960 budget.
Summer School
Under the sponsorship of the Parent-Teacher Association, a very successful summer school was conducted. One hundred eighteen stu- dents were enrolled. The following subjects were offered with teachers as indicated:
1. Typing and Shorthand -- Mrs. Pond
2. Remedial Reading-Mrs. Ostrander
3. Remedial Arithmetic-Mrs. Ostrander
4. Algebra I, II, Geometry, Gen. Math .- Mr. Hanelin
5. Driver Education-Mr. Beane
6. French I, II-Mr. Leclerc
7. English 9, 10-Mr. Leclerc
8. English 11, 12-Mr. Beane
9. U. S. History, World History-Mr. Thomas
The summer school was under the direction of Mr. Beane and the purpose was to aid students having scholastic problems.
Salary Schedule
The new salary scale which was established in September, 1960 to conform with the minimum wage of $4,000.00 will be fully imple- mented in 1961 and the increases reflect as the major increment in our 1961 budget. The scale has a range of twelve steps with a minimum of $4,000.00 and a maximum of $6,000.00 for a bachelor's degree and a minimum of $4,300.00 and a maximum of $6,300.00 for a master's degree. The no-degree scale has been eliminated.
Philosophy of Education
Our philosophy of education which was adopted in 1960 and made part of our written policy statement is as follows:
240
"Our democratically-organized schools should provide a desirable environment where the children of all the people are given countless opportunities to grow at their own rate in their individual way- physically, emotionally, mentally, and socially."
Repairs
One of our major problems is providing educational facilities in the shape of buildings and related equipment which are safe, sanitary and fully adequate for the educational work to be accomplished in them; for school buildings are important business units of instructional equipment. Repair work during the past year consisted of painting, new lights and curtains in the high school auditorium, complete renova- tion of the girls' toilet room at the Horace Mann School, painting exterior of the Junior High School, replacement of fence at the Horace Mann School, gymnasium lighting at the High School, replacement of the return pump of the high school heating unit, and many other minor repairs.
On November 14, 1960 the voters of Franklin, in assembly at a special town meeting, voted to purchase land and build a new high school. This new building will greatly alleviate overcrowded condi- tions and make it possible to offer an improved educational program. Mr. Lewis Cataldo and members of his building committee are to be commended for their successful efforts in obtaining increased classroom space and a new high school building. It is hoped that this new school will be ready for occupancy in September, 1962.
We wish to commend the Superintendent of Schools, the princi- pals, supervisors, teachers, and janitors and all others engaged in the operation of the public schools for the fine spirit of cooperation shown in their continued efforts throughout the year.
Respectfully submitted,
LEONARD L. F. REMINGTON, Chairman LILA W. DOE LEWIS J. CATALDO VINCENT J. DeBAGGIS RAYMOND D. MERCER
School Committee of Franklin
241
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the Franklin School Committee:
The following report is the seventh annually submitted by the present superintendent. It is the seventieth in the series of annual reports. It is hoped that the citizens of Franklin will derive knowledge of the schools, their accomplishments, and their needs from this report.
The school year 1960-1961 has seen many changes in our schools. At the end of the 1959-1960 school year it became apparent that it would not be possible to house all our students in the existing class- rooms. Since no new classrooms would be ready for occupancy for September, 1960 the alternative was so-called double sessions.
After considerable research and discussion, the school committee decided that the best solution of our problem was to have grades five, six, seven and eight attend the Theron Metcalf School in two shifts. Grades five and six now attend from 7:45 A.M. to 12:15 P.M. and grades seven and eight attend from 12:30 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. A total of 663 pupils attend the two sessions. They are taught by twenty regular teachers in ten classrooms. Each classroom does double duty and is occupied from 7:45 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.
The Horace Mann School, formerly used for grades five and six, is now occupied by grades three and four with one room used by the High School overflow. Parmenter School which formerly had multiple grades three and four now has one grade three and one grade four.
At a special town meeting held on November 14, 1960, the citizens voted to erect a new senior high school on the Oak Street site. They also purchased a parcel of land on Pond Street for a future elementary school. These were two giant steps forward in the solution of Franklin's school housing problem.
The effect of the new high school building will not be felt until September, 1962. It will take that long to erect the building. At that time the present high school will be used for grades seven and eight. The present junior high school will be used for grades five and six. The Parmenter, Ray, Four Corners, Horace Mann, and Brick Schools will be used for grades one through four. Our enrollment projection shows that we will have 1,213 youngsters enrolled in grades one through six by September, 1962. The total number of rooms in the above-mentioned schools is 37. Simple division tells us that this will mean an average of 33 pupils per room in these buildings. Since many of the older rooms are not designed for such a number, and since grades one through three should not exceed 30 per room, it becomes
242
evident that by September, 1962 our elementary grade space will again be filled to capacity. In the opinion of this writer, we must begin to plan the elementary school on Pond Street not later than 1963 or 1964 for occupancy not later than 1965. We can gain this time, in my opinion, by careful use of space in the new high school and in the present high school for some lower grades.
Meanwhile, our critical classroom shortage continues. It will be necessary to operate the high school on two shifts beginning in Septem- ber, 1961. Present tentative plans are for grades ten, eleven, and twelve to attend a session starting at 7:45 and continuing until ap- proximately 12:20, and for grade nine to attend from 12:30 to approxi- mately 5:05. Enrollment at the high school next year will be about 535 pupils. Our capacity in this building is exceeded when more than 400 pupils are enrolled. We are now operating with 474 pupils in attendance. Thus it is evident that double sessions are a must for the next school year.
The school budget continues to rise. Schools opened in September with 174 pupils more than the previous year. More pupils made more teachers necessary. The double sessions made large expenditures necessary for changes in furniture, busses, teachers, etc. Salaries con- tinue to rise each year as do the costs of goods and services. With all these accumulating year by year, we must look forward to increased expenditures. Each year statistics on school expenditures are released by the Massachusetts Teachers' Association. In studying these statistics year after year, it seems that Franklin maintains a position very near the average for towns of its size.
Staff Changes
After nearly a half century of devoted service to the youth of Franklin, Miss J. Etta McCabe retired as principal of the Theron Metcalf School. Tribute is paid here to this educator. Miss McCabe deserves, and without doubt has, the everlasting gratitude of the citizens of this town.
Miss McCabe's position this year is filled by Mr. Edward Rabaioli. Mr. Rabaioli was assistant principal at the Theron Metcalf School last year after having ten years' experience in elementary school work in other towns. He is doing a most creditable job in his position.
Other changes in our staff are as follows: Left-Mr. John M. Quinlan, History; Mr. Joseph Mastromarino, Latin; Miss Edith Cohenno, Art; Mrs. Priscilla McNally, English Grade 8; Mrs. Anne Swett, Home Economics Grades 7 and 8; Mr. Thomas Emerson, Grade 6; Miss Marilyn Swift, Grade 4. Appointed in their places were-Mrs. Anna Parker,
243
History; Mr. Norman F. Nash, Latin; Mrs. Helen Rhodes, Art; Mrs. Beatrice Judge, English Grade 8; Mrs. Elizabeth Parmenter, Grade 6; Miss Nancy Borden, Grade 5. Additional teachers placed in our schools this year are-Mr. Edward J. Steele, Athletic Director and High School Physical Education; Miss Constance Adams, Grade 7; Mr. Alan De- vaney, Grade 8; Mrs. Diana Dahlquist, Grade 6; Miss Joan Flynn, Grade 6; Miss Ruth Hale, Grade 6; Mrs. Dorothy Hawisher, Grade 5; Mrs. Carolyn Levine, Grade 5; Mrs. Anne O'Brien, Grade 5; Mrs. Teresa Brown, Grade 3; Mrs. Barbara Ray, Grade 1.
The reports of principals and department heads follow:
High School
The total enrollment of the school as of October 1, 1960 was 469. The following table illustrates the distribution of pupils:
Grade
Boys
Girls
Totals
12
46
59
105
11
48
58
106
10
63
56
119
9
65
74
139
Totals
222
247
469
Last year's prediction for this year's enrollment was 474. The enrollment as of October 1 last year was 449, which shows that overall growth was twenty. On the basis of presently enrolled students in grades eight, nine, ten, and eleven, our enrollment in the high school for October 1, 1961 will probably be 535.
Our Graduating Class:
In June of 1960 we graduated a class of 111, the largest class ever to graduate from Franklin High School. Of these 111 graduates approxi- mately sixty-four percent have gone on to further their education in colleges, junior colleges, schools of nursing and business schools. This represents an increase of four percent over the graduating class of 1959. Of the fifty graduates in the class of 1960 who were taking the college preparatory course ninety-eight percent have gone on to further their education. Graduates of this class are represented in a total of twenty different colleges from Maine to Florida, and as of this date all students are doing well in their advanced work.
At our graduation exercises over $8,000 in scholarships was awarded to our students, representing both local and college awards. I should like to take this opportunity to thank the many interested
244
local organizations who have shown such keen interest in the welfare of our graduates by annually awarding them stipends to further their education. I should particularly like to thank the newly organized Franklin High School Scholarship Committee, headed by Mrs. Agnes Dana and Chief of Police Arthur Pellegri, who were directly res- ponsible for awards amounting to close to $2,500. I should also like to thank the trustees of Dean Junior College for their generous award of a full thousand dollar scholarship to one of our graduates. This award was in addition to the regular generous consideration that is always given to our students by Dean Junior College.
Changes in Curriculum:
The only major change in curriculum offerings at the high school this year was the introduction of a health education program for all freshman boys, paralleling the health education program for girls which has been offered for many years. This new course is under the direction of Mr. Steele. In the business field we incorporated the Economics and Consumer Education courses into one course, under the heading of Consumer Education. The curriculum for the next school year will remain the same with the possible addition of a course in local and state government for freshmen only.
College Admissions and Testing:
As we have previously stated a very high percentage of our students have gone on to further their education. Although the college admissions problem is at the present time critical we are hopeful that we shall be able to have continued success in the placement of our graduates in accredited colleges throughout the country. Early in the school year parents of our students were presented an accounting under the title of "The College Board Story." It should be repeated and emphasized that an early awareness on the part of parents and students in respect to the difficulties of college admission is of vital importance.
In October of this year we again gave the Iowa Tests of Educational Development to all of our students. The results were highly gratifying. It was particularly pleasing to note that in those two areas, namely Correctness in English and Mathematics, where we have been the weakest in the past we show the most improvement. This year for the first time the scores within the eleventh and twelfth grades were broken down into college preparatory and non-college preparatory. The college preparatory students were found to be scoring consistently in the top fifteen percent of all students tested in the country, whereas most of our general and business students were scoring slightly below the national average. This is to be expected since these people, for whom high school education in many instances will be terminal, do
245
not have the desire to score high on this testing program. In the report last year it was stated that our primary area of weakness was in the reading interpretations in science, literature, and history. Improvement was noted here but the results still clearly indicate that there is a need for a developmental reading program within our system. The results in testing in the Use of Resources also clearly indicate the necessity for adequate library facilities, properly manned at both the junior and senior high school levels.
In our own testing at the high school we are still stressing strongly mid-year and final examinations, two hours in duration, the only exception being the elimination of final examinations for senior honor students.
School Attendance and Study:
The most discouraging feature of our high school overall picture has been in the area of attendance and the acquisition of good study habits, particularly among our non-college preparatory students. In spite of repeated statements to both parents and students in respect to regular attendance and punctuality, it is our feeling that our position in this vital factor of school life has worsened. We have, to some degree, improved the picture on dismissals by refusing to honor them with the exception of real sickness and emergencies. The situation, with respect to absence and tardiness, is cause for great concern. The records of students in these areas become an indelible part of their record, and a poor record can have a serious effect on the future life of a student. Parents of our students should know that in nine cases out of ten, the first information asked for by employers of our students and college admissions boards is-what is the record of attendance and punctuality? This year we have tightened up to the point of making six instances of tardiness a probable cause for school suspension. The present picture would seem to indicate that we must be even more severe in our approach to this problem for another year.
Equally upsetting is the failure of many of our good students to develop strong study habits. Your schools can indicate the path that must be taken, but a major portion of the responsibility still rests with the parents who must see to it that their children are at home at night to do their home assignments. The habit of many of our students of doing just sixty percent of the work in order to get by must be strongly discouraged. One hundred percent of the work should be the goal for every student.
Our New School:
I should like to express my thanks to our townspeople for their recognition of our school problems in voting us our new high school,
246
which we hope will be ready for occupancy in the fall of 1962. This new home for our secondary education will, of course, alleviate completely many of the problems which now beset us. It is a happy day to know that the old horse of overcrowded conditions and inade- quate facilities has now been beaten to death, leaving no cause to beat the horse further in this report. We shall have a trying school year in 1961, but the happy picture of the future will make the pains of the immediate present much easier to bear. The cooperation of parents, teachers, and students will be sorely needed in the coming year to brook our many trying situations. With our new school it is to be hoped that we will be able to destroy the philosophy of "survival of the fittest" and replace that philosophy with a more democratic concept of making all our students "fit to survive."
School Accomplishments:
There were some accomplishments of the high school family that seem worthy of mentioning at this time. Our Student Council, under the direction of their advisor, Miss Holmes, was active in many affairs. They carried out the town-wide American Red Cross drive. They fos- tered their own Christmas remembrance program by giving gifts to the elderly members of our community in rest homes. They contributed handsomely to the creche, sponsored by Miss A. Elizabeth Walsh. In other words, our Student Council played an active and generous part throughout the school year.
In the field of athletics our teams were not outstanding in the win and loss column but they did a creditable job in the line of two determents that are often overlooked:
1. Our school population in all classes, until this year, has been way out of balance, with each class having only thirty-five percent male members.
2. Inadequate athletic facilities in respect to other towns with whom we engage in competition has had a telling influence on our athletic attitude. Both of these problems will be a thing of the past in two years.
In dramatics, under the direction of Miss Beane, Franklin High School has achieved notably. We were one of ten schools in the entire state of Massachusetts picked to compete in the finals of the Massachu- setts Drama Festival in Boston. This is the second time in four years that our school has been so honored.
For the first time Franklin had a highly successful summer school program, under the sponsorship of the Parent-Teacher Association and with the approval of the Franklin School Committee. One hundred
247
twenty-five students from Franklin and surrounding communities participated in this program, which gives every indication that it will be an annual project. The school offered opportunities for personal enrichment and credit.
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Double sessions, this year, brought about many changes in the staff, organization, and curriculum of the school. The total enrollment as of October 1 was 661 pupils, which included grades five through eight. The following table illustrates the distribution of pupils:
Grade
Boys
Girls
Totals
5
83
74
157
6
91
71
162
7
96
72
168
8
88
86
174
Totals
358
303
661
With the large increase in the number of pupils housed at the school, it was necessary to appoint several new teachers, and to trans- fer some from other buildings. The faculty for the 1960-61 school year by grades is as follows:
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